Firing mechanism



June 6, 1944. J. G. SEITZ 2,350,833

FIRING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR, 6, 85/72 9' WATTWYS.

June 6, 1944. J $E|Tz 2,350,833

FIRING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F: 6 CONVENTIONAL FIRING MECHANISM J "IIIIIIII) IN V EN T 0R.

W, 7 WW ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 6, 1944 FIRING MECHANISM J h G. Seitz, San Francisco, Calif., assignmto o n Samuel 1. Keene, Oakland, Calif.

Application November 28, 1939, Serial No. 'b'sAsi 8 Claims. (Cl. 42-69) This invention relates to improvements in the firing mechanism of firearms.

One of the objects of the invention is the pro- I the type in which the firing thereof is eifected upon the release of a forcibly retracted trigger, rather than during the retraction of the trigger.

Another object is a firing mechanism for small firearms of the above said type, wherein improved hand actuatable control means is pro- I vided for rendering said firing mechanism operative or inoperative, as desired, for firing the piece by actuation of said trigger, and which control means is positioned for actuation by the hand employed to actuate the trigger without necessitating the remova1 of the trigger finger of said hand from engagement with said trigger, and without removal of said hand from its position for grasping the stock of the firearm.

A still further object of the invention is improved releasable safety means associated with the firing mechanism of a firearm adapted positively to prevent actuation of the firing mechanism of the piece, and which safety means is positioned to enable rapid release thereof to unlocked position upon normal movement of the trigger finger to trigger engaging position.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the specification and drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a rifle provided with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the portion of a rifle at the breech, partially broken away and in section, showing my invention in which the firing mechanism is inoperative for firing the piece, although the piece is cooked and although the trigger is freely movable to its limits of movement.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but with the firing mechanism operative to release the firing pin for firing of the piece upon retraction of the trigger and subsequent release of the latter.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4, 4 of Fig. 2, showing one of the elements of the positive locking means in unlocked position, while Fig. 5 is aview similar to that of Fig. 4,

except that said element is moved to locked position in which the piece cannot be fired.

Fig. 5a is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the firing mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a part sectional and part elevational view of the standard firing mechanism in a standard'firearm for illustrating the relatively slight modifications required for applying my invention, the modifications themselves being shown in the other views.

Fig. 7 is a part sectional and part elevational view of the safety device adapted for use in a pressure actuated trigger as distinguished from the releasing trigger of Figs.- 2, 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of several of the elements indicated in Fig. 6 separate from the firearm.

Briefly described, heretofore, attempts have been made to effect the release of the firing pins in small arms upon the release of the trigger, rather than upon retraction of the latter, but these attempts have generally been abortive due to lack of adequate control by the operator over the firing mechanism. Where actuation of the firing mechanism is by release of the retracted trigger, it is as essential that the operator be able to quickly release the trigger, without causing actuation of the firing mechanism, as to cause said actuation. This release, without causing firing, should be capable of accomplishment without shifting the hands on the firearm. and without the application of force, and should be accomplished by the hand employed for actuating the trigger. My invention accomplishes the above desired results.

The advantages of a firing mechanism in which the firing is effected by release of the trigger, rather than by retraction of the latter are many, among which are (1) elimination of nerve strain heretofore present where sighting and positive pressure or tightening of the muscles are required simultaneously, with the result of greater shooting accuracy by persons heretofore incapable of obtaining the required coordinae tion between sighting and firing under physical and nervous tension, since the necessity for posi tive increasing physical tension during mental concentration in sighting is eliminated; (2) the eliminiation of relatively long and arduous training required by novices for gaining a relatively high degree of accuracy in shooting; (3)

elimination of the tendency to draw the sighted those above indicated.

While Figs. 1 ,to illustrate a firing mechanism actuated by the release of the trigger, the positive locking safety device as used for the releasing trigger, is also adapted for use with the pressure actuated trigger, and Figs. 6, '7 are intended to show such adaptation, which broadly is believed to come within the scope of the invention since with either the pressure actuated trigger or with the releasing trigger, certain advantages are apparent in the position and manner ent. mechanisms. A

In detail, the invention as illustrated in the drawings is applied to the conventional 1903 model Springfield rifle provided with a stock having a pistol grip l, cocking piece 2, trigger 3, bolt 4, and the usual barrel, etc. The cocking piece 2 is provided with the ordinary sear notch 5 for engaging a scar nose on a sear for holding the cocking piece 2 cocked, or drawn back, under the expansion force of the-usual main spring (not shown). When the sear nose is withdrawn from engagement in the sear notch, the cocking piece and conventional striker (not shown) are released to cause the striker, or firing pin, to strike the'flring cap of the cartridge or shell. The foregoing elements are old and they, or elements equivalent thereto, are usually found in firearms.

In the following description and claims the terms forward, rear and the like are used with reference to the barrel of the firearm. For example, the forward end or portion of an element is the end or portion nearest the barrel, and the rear end or portion of an element is the end or portion remote from the barrel, while the terms "rearwardly or forwardly" likewise are used with reference to the said barrel. All of the elements hereinafter described. are disposed rearwardly of said barrel, and substantially below the bolt.

v In Figs. 2, 3, the sear nose 6 is rigid on sear 1, said sear being an elongated bar extending longitudinallyvof the rifle, with the nose 6 disposed at a point intermediate of its forward and rear ends, and projecting thereabove. In the particular firearm disclosed in the drawings, the sear lies below the firing pin and cocking piece, and in a chamber 8 disposed rearwardly of the magazine 9, the rear wall ill of said magazine forming the forward wall of said. chamber. The said forward end of sear I terminates adjacent said wall Ill, and slightly spaced from said forward end is an expansion coil spring ll adapted to react between the upper wall l2 of chamber 8 and said forward end. Sear pin l3 adjacent the forward endof said sear and positioned between spring H and nose 8, pivotally supports said sear in said chamber for swinging about the horizontal axis of said pin. and the spring ll yieldably urges the rear end of the sear, including nose 6, in an upward direction for holding nose 6 in a position in engagement with the sear notch 5. Upon urging said outer or rear end of the sear downwardly, the nose 8 will be released from engagement with notch 5, and the firing pin will be actuated under the infiuence of the main firing pin spring (not shown) for firing.

' The upper end of trigger 3 extends into said chamber 8 and past the sear I for pivotal movement at its upper end on pivot pin l4 secured to the walls of chamber 8 above the sear, the said sear being notched at its upper side to pass the of actuation of the safety device over the preswhich, however, are related in some manner to pivot l4. Adjacent the said pivot H, the upper end of said trigger is fomiedwitha rearwardly projecting enlarged portion 15, between which portion and wall I2 is an expansion coil spring l6 that m'eldably urges the lower end of trigger 3 forwardly for holding the same in a forwardly urged position unless and until the same is retracted or moved rearwardly by the trigger finger of the operator.

The lower end of trigger 3 extends outwardly into the area enclosed by the guard bow II, in the usual manner. Below the sear I, is a horizontally elongated bar I 8 pivoted at its forward end to tri er 3 by horizontalpivot [9. The upper side of said bar is formed with an upwardly opening recess extending longitudinally of the bar, in'

whichrecess is an elongated element 20 secured to said bar at itsforward end by a pivot 2|. The rear end of said element is formed with an upwardly extending projection 22, providing a forwardly facing shoulder 23 or notch at the forward side of said projection. Alsb, the rear end of said element is yieldably supported in slightly elevated position with respect to bar 20 on a spring 24 disposed between said element and the bottom of the recess in which said element is positioned (Fig. 2).

The bar I8 is movable with trigger- 3. Thus upon retracting the trigger, the bar l8- carrying element 20, will move rearwardly, and the bar and element are carried forwardly by the trigger when the latter is released, the spring [6 causing said forward movement.

The lower side 25.0f the chamber 8 carries the guard bow I1, said side being generally termed a guard plate. Said plate extends rearwardly of the guard bow at 26, and a rear guard screw 21 secures said extension 26 to the stock in the usual manner. 1

At about the juncture of the rear side of guard bow H with the extension 26, said guard plate is formed with a slot 28 extending slantingly upwardly through the guard plate. Said slot opens outwardly below said plate at about said juncture and at its upper end, the slot terminates at' a point below the rear end of bar l8, when the trigger is in normal, unretracted position.

' its forward side, and the upper surfaceof theblock 30 adjacent said forward wall is formed,

generally, in upward continuation ofthe slanted upper edge of said forward wall. A groove 33 extends across the upper side of said block just rearwardly of the slanted portion of the block.

The rear end of bar I8 is slanted in a direction generally similar to the slanted portion of the forward wall of recess 3|. so that upon retraction of trigger 3, the correspondingly slanted surfaces of the bar and'block 30, will be engaged, and the rear end of the bar l8 will be caused to move upwardly. 1 It will be seen that when block 30 is seated in recess 3|, the rear end of bar It, including element 22, will be elevated a predetermined distance upon full retraction of trigger 3. The dotv a I 2,850,888 ted line position indicated in Fig. 2 shows the trigger 3 retracted its full distance, and the bar It and element 22 elevated. It will also be seen from Fig. 2,. that movement of the trigger when the same is retracted and released, will not function to release the sear nose l6 from the sear notch, since the sear nose is not actuated, by reason of said movement of the trigger. I

The release of the sear nose 3 by movement of the'trigger is effected through actuation of a cam member 34 pivoted at 35 to the outer end of sear 1 rearwardly of nose 3. Cam member 34 is formed with a downwardly extending projecend of the sear I to prevent rearward movement of said projection 33 beyond a predetermined point while permitting forward movement of said projection, under force. I Referring to Fig- 3, it will be seen that when the block 30 is elevated, and is held in such elevated position, a retraction of tri ger 3lwill cause the rear end of bar l8 andelement 2M0 be raised generally elliptical disk 4| seated in a recess 42 in the upper side of plate 40. The major axis of the elliptical contour of said disk extends gen erally transversely with respect to the rifle, and the side of the recess adjacent the forward elongated curved edge of the disk generally conforms in contour to the curvature of said forward edge of said disk. Instead of the'rearwardly disposed edge of said disk following the normal elliptical curve of its forward edge, the rearwafdly disposed portion of the disk is formed with a projection 43 projecting rearwardly in line with the central axis of the disk that is perpendicular to its major axis. The disk is pivoted to plate by a generally vertical pivot 44 at the rearward end .of said projection 43 (see Figs. 4, 5). The greatest width of disk 4|, taken in the direction of its major axis, is slightly greater than the corresponding width of the plate 40. This width of disk 4| with respect to plate 40 is such that one or the other of the ends of disk 4| will project outwardly from one or the other of the sides of the plate 40 upon pivotal movement of the disk in one direction or the other, this movement being limited by the sides of the recess 42, that are at opposite sides of the projection 43.

In Fig. 4, the disk 4| is pushed to the left so that the left edge projects slightly laterally out-. wardly of plate 4 and the pistol grip l, and in this position, a-recess 45 in the edge opposite projection43. is in alignment with pin projecting to a position where the projection 22011618111611; I

20 will slidably engage the lower end of projection 36 on cam member 34, upon retraction of the trigger, thus depressing the rear end of the element 20 slightl until the projection 22 passes the lower end of projection 35. Thereafter, upon release of trigger 3, and forwardmovement of the bar I8 and element 20, the shoulder 23 on said element will engage the lower rear comer of projection 36 and will move the projection 36 forwardly, thereby causing the upper forward portion of the cam to move upwardly. Thi up'-' The elevating of block so is effected by an arm;

33, one end of which is pivoted at 39 in the guard lifting of block 30; held in this position by a spring urged detent downwardly from extension 26. Thus, in this position, the plate 40 may be lifted and gripped close to the pistol grip I, thereby permitting the The disk 4| is releasably member 41 adapted to be yieldably urged in a recess 49 in the edge of disk 4|. When the grip on plate 40 is released, the disk 4| may be pivoted by forward pressure against the'outwardly projecting edge of disk 4| to swing the disk on its pivot 44 in direction transversely of plate 40 to the position indicated in Fig. 5, in which the disk projects from the opposite side of the plate 40, and detent element" will hold the disk in this latter position by engagement in recess 43 in the forward edge of said disk. In this latter position,

the plate 4|] cannot be raised, since disk 4| will plate forwardl of the pin 29 that carries said' block. This arm extends rearwardly and downwardly in slot 28 below the lower end of pin 29, and carries a plate 40 at its rear end, which plate is disposed outwardly and rearwardly 0f the guard bow l1, and below the pistol grip of the gun stock. The plate 40 is relatively wide and is compermit the-arm38 to swing downwardly, thus lowering block 3|! to a position where the trigger mechanism is inoperative for releasing the firing P A positive safety device preventing the movement of the plate 40 against or toward the pistol grip, is carried by the said plate, and comprises a engage the pin 46, and a positive safety against firing of the firearm is effected.

It is important to note, that when the disk is in the position indicated in Fig. 5, with its right hand end projecting laterally from plate 40, the outwardly projecting end is directly in line with the forefinger of the right hand of the operator as said hand is moved forwardly to grip the pistol grip and to position the trigger finger, or said forefinger, to trigger engaging position. Hence the operator in the single movement of the right hand from the butt-of the rifle, longitudinally thereof to trigger engaging position, may move the disk 4| to the left just prior to engaging the trigger by the trigger finger, and this movement of the disk will release the-obstruction to lifting plate 40 and block 30, thus enabling the operator to fire the rifle swiftly without the slow and awkward fumbling with a safety catch on the cooking piece, or with some other catch out of range of the natural line of movement of the trigger finger to said trigger.

The disk 4| is not readily affected by a direct lateral pressure due to the shape of the same and the position of the pivot 44, but will respond to a forward pressure against the laterally projecting end in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 4, 5).

are milled, or serrated, so as to give frictional resistance to the finger engaging the said ends.

' In the operation of firing the rifie assuming the disk' II is at "safety position and the rifle is" gripped at the pistol grip I by the right hand, a

hand quickly over the projecting end of the disk (Fig. 5) moving the latter to the left (Fig. 4),

2,sco,asa

These outwardly projecting ends of the disk I firing isreached, or of those that neither need or require such indication. j.

The under surface of bar ll adjacent notch ll and ahead of the same curves downwardly and forwardly away from the notch. The notch I. preferably provides a downwardly facing surface of slight horizontal width eitending transversely and continues the movement of the forefinger .into engagement with the forward side of the the pistol grip by the other fingers of the right hand, thereby raising block 30.: In action, by the time the butt is against the shoulder, the

forefinger is against the trigger. In the moment of forcibly seating said butt against theshoulder the trigger is firmly retractedand aim is taken.

This action of gripping the pistol grip tightly by the right hand to seat the butt and retracting the trigger isa normal action as distinguished from the heretofore method of seating the butt and then aiming, and thereafter retracting the trigger under slow tension (known as the trigger squeeze) or by other application of pressure to the trigger. With my invention with the forcible retraction of the trigger, the piece is not fired, but instead, the tension on the muscles of trigger finger is released, either slowly, intermittently, or rapidly in one motion, as desired, to cause firing. Thus there is no distraction from the mental concentration required in aiming the-piece, by reason of a further tensioning of the physical system as a separate act, as has heretofore been the case where the trigger must be retracted under pressure. Instead, the physical and nervous tensioning of the operator occurs simultaneously, without thought, and thereafter, full concentration may be employed in' carefully aiming the firearm. Steadiness of aim is assured at the moment of firing since there is no call for any tensioning of the muscular system to fire the piece, and physical tensioning substantially disappearsv when there is a release of the muscular tension of the trigger finger against the trigger to effect actuation of the firing mechanism. Whether the trigger finger is released quickly or slowly, it is obvious that the aim will not be destroyed, since there is nothing in the'releasing operation to cause undue movement of the firearm.

In some instances, the operator may desire some indication immediately prior to actual withdrawal of thesear nose 6 from the sear notch, that this point is about reached, and that only a fractional further movement of the trigger will release the firing pin. This indication is afforded by providing a slight notch 50 across the rear end of bar l8 that slides over block 30. This notch is positioned to engage the upper edge of the forward side of groove 33 in said block just prefer an indication of the fact that the point of of the curved undersurface of the bar that is ahead of the notch, so that acceleration of forward movement ofthe projection 22 against the projection 36, is effected after the initial engage-" until notch 50 is engaged. As soon as the'notch' 50 is engaged, the forward movement of the projection 36 is accelerated by the direct forward movement of projection 22, upon'a further release of the trigger. Thus there are-two speeds of movement to projection 22, with respect to the movement of the trigger, first a slow speed that changes to a fast speed at a predetermined point, namely, the point where notch ,50 first engages the forward edge of .groove 33.

In the event the trigger is retracted and the operator does not wish to fire the piece, the mere release of thefingers gripping the plate 40 will immediately cause the plate to drop, with theresult that block 30 will lower the rear end of bar I8, and the trigger may be released for movement to its normal forward position as indicated in Fi 2. v

The invention described above is not intended to be restricted to use on a rifle, but is. applicable .to other firearms, such' as, for. example, pistols,

revolvers, shot guns, etc., where a hand gripping element, such'as a-stock, isadapted to be gripped bya hand of the operator, and a finger operated trigger is adjacent the portion of the stock adapted'to be gripped by the hand that includes the trigger finger. Some persons use'the terms percussor," hammer, bolt," etc., in-

stead of the terms firing pin," striker, or cooking piece. 'Howe'ver, in each instance there is a bolt such as the cooking piece illustrated in the drawings, or else a hammer or the like that is retracted'and released to cause firing of the cartridge. The use of the term cocking piece" in the claims is not restricted to any par ticular form of cocking piece, but covers any equivalent member functioning to fire the cartridg'e. i

. In Figure 7 is indicated a firing mechanism in which the cocking piece is released upon retrac tion of the trigger under pressure, and associated with such trigger is a safety device similar in operation to the safety device shown in connection with Figs. 2,3. 7

In this format firing mechanism, the arm 33' is positioned in substantially the'same position as arm 38 in Fig.2, and this arm carries identically the same safety means corresponding to plate 4!), disk 4|, etc., as shown in Fig. 2, said elements comprising this safety means are given the same numbers as in Fig. 2, except that they are primed, and the pin 46' on the extension 26' of the guardplate functions in the same manner with respect to the disk 4| as does the pin 46 in Figs. 2 to 5;

A horizontalpivot 5| pivotally supports the Y encloses the trigger mechanism, and a projection 53 on said arm extendsslightly rearwardly and upwardly from the pivot into said chamber. I

The trigger 3', in Fig. 7, extends upwardly and forwardly in the chamber 8' from its lower end, which lower end extends into the area enclosed within the trigger guard bow I'I'.

The scar l is formed with a horizontally exj tending slot 54 opening top andbottom, and the upper end of the trigger arm extends into said slot. The said upper end of the trigger is formed with a rearward extension 55 that is pivoted on horizontal pin 55 carried by the side walls of slot 54'. Extending forwardly from the upperend of the trig er is a horizontal lip 51. A coil spring 58 reacts between said lip and a base member 59 formed on the sear at the forward end of slot 54. Thus the spring 58, being ahead of pivot 55,

acts yieldably to hold the trigger 3' in forward position in the guard bow II. The sear I is formed at its forward end and over spring 58 with an upwardly projecting ear 50, and a horizontal pin 5| through said ear pivotally supports the sear in chamber 8'.

Forwardly of spring 58 and pin 5| is a coil spring 58' that reacts between the forward end of scar 'l' and the upper wall I? of chamber 8' for urging the rear end of the sear upwardly for yieldably holding the sear nose 5' at the rear end of the sear in engagement with the forwardly facing side of the conventional sear patch 5' that is on the cocking piece 2'.

Also pivoted on pin 55 is a cam member 52 havingprojeetion 63 extending rearwardly of the pivot and engaging the wall I! of the cham her 8'.

This cam also carries a downwardly projecting arm 54 having a forwardly facing flat surface disposed below pivot 55. A stop pin 55 below projection 53 holds said projection in engagement with wall I! at all times, but the cam may be rotated clockwise on said pivot 56 (in the position shown in Fig. 7) upon forcing the projection 54 rearwardly. It will be seen that such movement of projection 54 willcause the sear nose 5' to be released from the sear notch 5' for causing firing of the firearm.

To effect firing of the firearm by movement of projection 54 rearwardly, I provide an arm 56 horizontally pivoted at 51 at its forward end to said trigger just below the level of sear I. The forward end of .sald arm extends horizontally rearwardly from said pivot, and then downwardlv toward its rearward end, and at the rearward end the arm again extends substantially horizontally with its rearward termination slidably supported on the rearwardly and upwardly inclined upper side of the projection 53 on arm 38'.

Between the forward upper portion of arm 55 and the rearward projection of the upper end of'trigger 3, is a coil spring 58 adapted to react between said arm and the trigger for yieldably urging the lower rear end of arm 55 into engagement with the upper side of projection 53 at all times.

At the point where the horizontally extending upper and forward end of arm 56 joins the downwardly extending portion of said arm, is formed a rearwardly facing shoulder 59, which shoulder is adapted to engage the forwardly facing side of projection 54 on cam member 52 when the lower end of the arm 55 is elevated, but when the lower end of arm 55 is lowered, this shoulder will freely pass below projection 54.

In the position of arm 38' and arm 55, as seen in Fig. "l, the shoulder 89 is elevated to cause engagement between the projection 84 and shoulder 59 upon a predetermined rearward movement of the trigger 3'. However, if the fingers of the operator grasping plate 40' are released, then the projection 53 of arm 38' will be lowered to cause a lowering of shoulder 59 to the point where the shoulder will freely pass projection 54 in the event the trigger is pulled; or retracted, and nothing will happen insofar as a release of the cocking piece is concerned.

A coil spring 10 reacts between the arm 38 and a fixed stop 1| adjacent the upper rear side of guard plate 25' to yieldably urge the arm 38' downwardly and away from the stock, where the hand gripping the plate 40' is released.

In operation, when the hand of the operator grips the pistol grip in firing position, the retraction of the trigger 3' will cause firing of the piece by engagement between shoulder 59 and projection 54, but if, at any time prior to actual firing, the fingers of the hand release their grip on plate 4|, there can be no firing since the shoulder 69 will then travel in a path below and out of engagement with the projection 64. The

positive lock afforded by disk 4|, is identical in the operation with the disk 4| in Figs. 2 to 5, the importance of which lockingdisk is its ease of operation and its position for actuation by the fingers of the hand that grip the pistol grip without removing the hand from said grip as would be required, for example, in thestandard firearm where there is a locking element directly associated with the cooking piece, as for instance, in the U. S. rifle model 1903.

I claim: a

1. A firing mechanism that includes a finger retractable trigger, a sear, a cocking piece, a movable safety device and a stock positioned for grasping by a hand of an operator during engagement of the trigger by the trigger finger of said hand; movable means connecting between said sear, trigger, and safety device responsive to movement of said trigger for releasing the engagement between said scar and cooking piece when the latter is releasably held in cocked position by said sear, said means being also responsive to a predetermined movement of said safety device for movement to a position in which the said means is inoperative for releasing said sear from said cocking piece irrespective of said movement of said trigger, means yieldably urging said trigger to a forward position from which it is adapted to be retracted, said movable means being arranged and adapted to cause release of said sear from said cocking piece only upon movement of said trigger from-retracted position to said forward position.

2. In a construction as defined in claim 1, said safety device being disposed between said trigger and said stock and a pivot supporting said safety device, when the latter is free from the gripping influence of said hand, in said position in which the said means is inoperative for releasing said sear from said cocking piece.

v3. In a construction as defined in claim 1, a pivot supporting said safety device, when the latter is free from the gripping influence of said hand, in said position in which the said means is inoperative for releasing said sear from said cocking piece, and means for locking said safety device in said position against movement from said position when the stock and safety device are grasped by said hand.

4. A firing mechanism" comprising a cooking piece, a searadapted for releasably holding said cocking piece cocked, a finger retractable trigger, a movable safety device positioned for en'- gagement with and adapted for movementby the fingers of the hand carrying the trigger fing'er when the latter is in trigger retracting position, means cooperative with said trigger and with said safety device adapted for actuation by saidtrigger to release said sear from holding the cooking piececocked when the said device and said trigger are both actuated for movement by the fingers of said hand, said means being secured to said tri ger for movement therewith at all times when said trigger is actuated,'said safety device s'lidably supporting saidmeans for movement of said means relative thereto when said trigger is actuated, a pivot supporting said safety device for swinging thereon, said pivot being positioned relative to said means and said sear for moving said means into and out of engagement with said sear, as desired, upon swinging said safety device on said pivot during actuation of said trigger, spring means yieldably urging said trigger to a forward position from which it is adapted to be retracted by said trigger finger, and said means being arranged and adapted to cause release of said sear from said cooking piece only upon movement ofsaid trigger from retracted position to said forward position. v

5. A firing mechanism in a fire arm of the type actuated for firing by the release of a finger retracted trigger comprising; a cocking piece; a

finger retractable trigger; a movable sear for releasably holding said cocking piece cocked; sear actuating means connecting between said trigger and said sear actuable by said trigger only upon movement of said trigger from its retracted position to its normal forward position for. releasing said sear; said sear actuating means being movable to a position out of sear actuating rela- 6. A firing mechanism as defined in claim 5;

indicating means adapted to abruptly check the normal rate of speed of said trigger during its return from its retracted position to its normal forward position at a predetermined point between said positions and immediately prior to release of said sear: said indicating means being held in connecting relation between said trigger and said sear by said safety device when the latter is supported by said fingers, and being mov-. able out of said latter relation when said safety of a position connecting said'trigger and said sear during its movement with said trigger when the latter is moved between its retracted-and forward position; said sear actuating means including a member actuatable for releasing said sear only upon movement of said trigger from its retracted position to its forward position when said sear actuating means is in a position connecting between said trigger and said sear; 'a movable safety device adapted to be manually supported by the fingers of the hand carrying the trigger retracting finger for movement in one direction when said fingers are supporting the same and movable m an opposite direction when said fingers are released therefrom; said safety device being engageable with said sear actuating means and being adapted to swing said sear actuating means .into said position connecting said trigger and said sear when said-safety device is moved in said one direction by said fingers; and said sear actuating means being re-'- leased for movement out of said position when said safety device is moved in said opposite di rection.

8. In adevice' of the class described, the combination with a finger retractable trigger, of a sear, a cocking piece, and sear actuating means connecting between said trigger and said sear actuated by movement of-said trigger only upon release of the latter from retracted position for disengaging said sear from said cocking piece when the latter is cocked to thereby release said cocking pieceymeans supporting said sear actuating means for movement into and out of position connecting between said trigger and said sear; a movable safety device'engageable with said sear actuating means for moving the latter'into and out of said last mentioned position; said safety device being manually actuatable for so moving said sear actuating means by the fingers of the hand carrying the trigger retracting finger when the latter is in trigger retracting position; means carried by said sear actuating means and cooperatively associated with said safety device for abruptly resisting return of said trigger to its normal forward position after retraction thereof immediately prior to release of said sear from said cocking-pieceduring said return movement of said trigger; and a spring for so returning said trigger to said forward position; said spring being adapted to overcome saidresistance to said return of said. trigger. a

. JOHN G. SEITZ. 

